Adiponectin receptor 1 or Adiponectin receptor 2 (AdipoR1, AdipoR2)

Adiponectin receptors 1 and 2 (AdipoR1 and AdipoR2) are seven-transmembrane proteins belonging to the PAQR family that mediate the metabolic and anti-inflammatory effects of adiponectin, an adipokine secreted by adipose tissue. AdipoR1 is highly expressed in skeletal muscle, while AdipoR2 predominates in the liver. Upon binding adiponectin, these receptors activate signaling cascades such as the AMPK and PPAR-α pathways, leading to increased fatty acid oxidation, reduced hepatic gluconeogenesis, improved insulin sensitivity, and anti-inflammatory actions. Their dysfunction is implicated in obesity, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. No drugs are yet clinically approved to target these receptors, but AdipoRon, an experimental agonist, mimics some adiponectin effects. "Adiponectin receptor pathway" refers to this network of biochemical signals initiated by adiponectin binding to its receptors, rather than a single molecular entity.

Other names

AdipoR1AdipoR2Adiponectin receptorPAQR1 (AdipoR1)PAQR2 (AdipoR2)Progesterone and Adiponectin Q receptor family

Activation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) Activation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPAR-α) Increased fatty acid oxidation Inhibition of gluconeogenesis